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How does VersaShield Flooring Underlayment stack up to other moisture suppression options?

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VersaShield Flooring Underlayment is simply the better choice when it comes to moisture suppression — both in performance and value. Until now, most systems were liquid-based and required stringent climatic conditions, short open times, mixing, special tools and specific application requirements to meet claimed performance standards. They were difficult to work with and required a lot of cleanup. Because VersaShield Flooring Underlayment is never adhered to the slab, no cleanup of old adhesives is required when the space is renovated years later.

*Approximate costs based on our best information as of mid-year 2007. Actual costs may vary due to market conditions and variable regional pricing.

Other key factors in which VersaShield is clearly superior to other systems include:

Moisture emissions: Suppresses emissions as extreme as 12 lbs/1000 ft 24 hrs, as good or better than other moisture suppression products.
Limited Warranty: A 10-year limited warranty is among the best warranted moisture suppression systems — some have no warranty at all.
Below-grade applications: VersaShield Flooring Underlayment is one of the few options suitable for below-grade applications.
Installation method: It doesn’t get much easier than our "Roll it, Tape It" process. Most other systems require spraying or application with a paint-type roller.
Floor installation time limit: There’s no time limit with VersaShield Flooring Underlayment. The floor covering can be installed immediately after the VersaShield Flooring Underlayment. Most other moisture suppression systems have a limit of up to 24 hours.
Subfloor preparation: Requires only that cracks over 1/8" wide in the slab are patched prior to installation
Mold and fungus resistant: One of the few moisture suppression systems that resists the growth of mold and fungus.^†

^† Product surface is resistant to mold growth under ASTM D3273, ASTM D3274 and TCNA M-4.1.

Compare VersaShield Flooring Underlayment With Other Moisture Suppression Options This Document is Available for Download - Click Here to visit our documents section
SOLID AND ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS
	VersaShield Flooring Underlayment	Polymeric Self Leveler	Two-coat Epoxy	Sheet Vinyl	15# Felt	Polyethylene Film	Multi-step Epoxy
Job Requirements
Maximum concrete moisture emission	12 lbs.	12 lbs.	12 lbs.	n/a	n/a	n/a	12 lbs.
Are there subfloor limitations?	no	no	yes	n/a	n/a	n/a	yes
Below grade application?	yes	yes	no	n/a	n/a	n/a	no
Install over old adhesives?	yes	no	no	no	yes	yes	no
Installation temperature restrictions?	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes
Limited Warranty***
Limited warranty length	10 yrs.	not disclosed	5-10 yrs.	no warranty	no warranty	no warranty	10 yrs.
Does limited warranty require patching of existing cracks?	only those over 1/8"	only those over 1/8"	no	n/a	n/a	n/a	no
Limited warranty valid with a variety of adhesives	yes*	no	no	n/a	n/a	n/a	no
Job Preparation
Subfloor prep	flatten	flatten & scour	flatten & scour	flatten & glue	flatten	flatten	shot blast
Removal of sealers & curing agents required?	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	yes
Installation
Installation method	roll & tape	trowel	roller	roll-on glue	roll & overlap	roll & tape	roller
Number of layers or coats	1	1	2	1	5**	1	2+
Dry time of 1st coat	0	16 hrs.	6-12 hrs.	0	0	0	6 hrs.
Dry time of second coat	n/a	n/a	16 hrs.	n/a	n/a	n/a	16 hrs.
Floor installation time limit	none	16 hrs. min	16 hrs. min / 72 hrs. max	none	none	none	16 hrs. min / 72 hrs. max
Uniform coverage	built in	critically dependent on tools & installation	highly variable / no control	built in	built in	built in	highly variable / no control
Clean up method	Minimal Scrap Removal	mineral spirits	mineral spirits	Minimal Scrap Removal	mineral spirits	Minimal Scrap Removal	mineral spirits
Other Factors
Can excess be used on next job?	yes	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Ease of renovation	easy	difficult	difficult	moderate	moderate	moderate	difficult
Mold and fungus resistant	yes^†	yes	no	no	no	no	no
Odor	none	slight	strong	none	strong	none	no
Cost
	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Low	Low	Low	High

* No solvents, as recommended by flooring manufacturers Per NOFMA guidelines * See Product Limited Warranty for Details. Among other things, installation using VersaShield tape and specified moisture test results are required to qualify for coverage. ^† Product surface is resistant to mold growth under ASTM D3273, ASTM D3274 and TCNA M-4.1.

CARPET AND CARPET TILES
	VersaShield	One-step Coating	Two-Step Coating	Two-part Epoxy
Job Requirements
Maximum concrete moisture emission	12 lbs.	10-12 lbs.	10 lbs.	18-25 lbs.
Are there any subfloor limitations	no	yes	yes	yes
Below grade application?	yes	yes	yes	yes
Install over old adhesives?	yes	no	yes	no
Installation temperature restrictions?	no	yes	yes	yes
Limited Warranty*
Limited warranty length	10 yrs.	2yrs.	lifetime	10 yrs.
Maximum pH allowed for limited warranty	12	12	11	14
Certification required to install	no	no	no	yes
Job Preparation
Removal of sealers and curing agents required?	no	yes	yes	yes
Installation
Installation method	roll & tape	spray or roller	roller	roller
Number of layers or coats	1	1	2	1
Dry time of 1st coat	0	0-24 hrs.	2 hrs.	12 hrs.
Dry time of 2nd coat	n/a	n/a	24 hrs.	n/a
Floor installation time limit	none	0-24 hrs. min.	24 hrs. min.	12 hrs. min./72 hrs. max.
Uniform coverage	built-in	critically dependant on tools and installation	critically dependant on tools and installation	critically dependant on tools and installation
Clean-up method	none	mineral spirits	scour	mineral spirits
Other Factors
Can excess be used on next job?	yes	yes	yes	no
Ease of renovation	easy	moderate	moderate	moderate
Mold and fungus resistant?	yes^†	yes	yes	no
Odor	none	mild	none	strong
Cost
	moderate	moderate	moderate	high

* See Product Limited Warranty for Details. Among other things, installation using VersaShield tape and specified moisture test results are required to qualify for coverage.
^† Product surface is resistant to mold growth under ASTM D3273, ASTM D3274 and TCNA M-4.1.

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